NBA ALL-STAR MEDIA DAY

February 19, 2022

Trae Young

Media Day Press Conference

Q. How does it feel to be back in the All-Star Game?

TRAE YOUNG: It feels great. Obviously, I feel like it could possibly be my third year in the All-Star Game, but just honored to be here, and just around these great guys. It's going to be an unbelievable weekend, and I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be fun.

Q. How do you like the weather here?

TRAE YOUNG: How do I like it? I don't know how much I like it. It's a little cold, but, I mean, it's nice. It's different. It's not Georgia weather, but it's nice. I like it. It's all right.

Q. What does it mean to represent your team?

TRAE YOUNG: Just to be out here representing Atlanta, it's awesome. I mean, I wish, obviously, I had another teammate out here with me to represent, but I'm going to do my best to represent it the best way I can and to put on a show each and every night and go out there and do my best.

Q. What does it mean to have your family as part of the weekend?

TRAE YOUNG: It's important. My family is always going to be a part of my journey. They've been a part since the beginning, and for my family to be here now, it's an unbelievable feeling, and, I mean, I'm happy they're here, and they're always going to be here throughout my journey, and I just want them to understand that, and I mean, I'm happy they're here.

Q. Have you talked to any of your Hawks teammates?

TRAE YOUNG: Some of them reached out to me. We just left each other, so it's not like we're missing each other too much. I'm sure we will start all hitting each other in the next couple of days, this weekend, and check on each other and stuff like that. I'm looking forward to seeing those guys again and getting this run going after this break.

Q. Favorite WNBA player?

TRAE YOUNG: Oh, I don't know. There are so many good WNBA players. I don't know.

Q. Just one.

TRAE YOUNG: Just one. I'm a big A'ja Wilson fan. I can't just say her. There's a bunch of women that I like watching. They're all talented, but A'ja for sure.

Q. Which one would you love to play with?

TRAE YOUNG: I would have to go with A'ja. Me and A'ja would be tough in a pick-and-roll game, pick-and-pop. That midrange, her little midrange from the elbow jumper to the left. Yeah. We would be solid.

Q. How competitive will the game be tomorrow?

TRAE YOUNG: It's going to be fun, it's going to be competitive for sure. I think we have a lot of young guys on our team that will be pushing and running the pace, and it's going to be fun. Those guys got a lot of talent for sure, but it's going to be fun.

Q. What did you think of the Rising Stars game last night?

TRAE YOUNG: I didn't get a chance to watch the Rising Stars game. I was getting my jersey retired, so I wasn't able to watch it. I heard the format was different this year, but I didn't get a chance to watch them.

Q. What are your thoughts on the HBCU game being a part of All-Star this year?

TRAE YOUNG: I mean, it's amazing. It's big-time. I think it's really cool seeing the HBCU love starting to pick up. Obviously, Coach [Deion] Sanders, what he is doing in Jackson State, it's crazy. I love the fact that it's pushing more and more, and being in Atlanta, you learn to appreciate the HBCUs even more. And so, yeah, it's going to be fun. I think I'm going to tune in today. I hope I'll be able to get back and watch the game.

Q. How do you feel about going up against Stephen Curry?

TRAE YOUNG: It's going to be fun. It's going to be fun. Hopefully we get another opportunity where maybe a couple of quarters we end it with a half-court shot this year. Who knows? It will be fun. I'm looking forward to it. Maybe one year we're on the same team, but this year we're going to get to go at it again.

Q. What is your relationship like with Luka Doncic?

TRAE YOUNG: Yeah, we talk. We talk offseason. We talk throughout the season. It's just a lot of things that obviously the outside world wants to make it all competitive and make you all hate each other, but, I mean, it's not that case with me and Luka. He is, honestly, a great dude. We play each other. We're battling. Obviously, I'm trying to help my team win, and he is trying to do the same.

When we play each other, it's a battle and always a competition, but outside of that, it's never personal, and we always want the best for each other besides when we play each other, so it's a great relationship.